Random thoughts
Just realised something very scary. I cannot memorise anything anymore. I am horrified and traumatised. Being senescent sucks! Just throwing in a 'big' word to show myself that I, at least, remember something. I know many of you will chirp in by saying, it happens to the best of us, but this bitter fact does not make me feel any better. To me it is feeling like a big part of me is dying.
This realisation came upon me the day I wanted to memorise a small dua. I normally say my Namaz with the duas I have learnt 40 years ago (bless my Islamiat Miss in Holy Cross). So memorising new duas were not on my to-do list, but with social media so much in your face now, and new information constantly bombarding you, one feels the need to learn and apply the "newer" information. Hence, the memorisation.
But nope! Not happening! The power to retain... gone.
Now for plan 'B'!
Well, I do not have one right now. I am just saying. We need a plan 'B.' So, wracking my brains here.
My plan 'B' starts with an…'A.'
A. Exercise. Apparently even 15 minutes of any sort of movement ameliorates any worries. Works for me!
B. De-clutter your brain. Any useless information...erase!
C. Play mind games. Literally. Scrabble…Sudoko, etc. Not the Hindi serial type of mind games women are playing with each other.
D. Eat brain food. Walnuts, seeds, the berries and the cherries, chias along with the flax.
E. Meditate. I, for a fact, believe our Namaz is a great form of meditation once you get all the silly daily thoughts out crowding the mind right then only.
F. Buy a beautiful notebook and write down all the stuff you want to be done once you lose it. My new daughter-in-law is now privy to all my neurotic rants and instructions.
Like, I told her to pull the plug if I am comatose. Just do not keep me hooked up to see me looking all pink, pretty, warm and breathing for everyone else's satisfaction.
G. Lastly, if the family does want to have a prayer meet for me to sing praises of how much I cooked for you all or how clingy and needy I was for my friends…do have it inside my home, with the air conditioner on full force and the table laden with food as I would have loved. See…somewhat problem solved!
Now, as I am done with my Halloween type of scary prose, I just realised something again. I am actually quite embarrassed to own up to it. I truly thought I was immutable. Apparently not!
So, if my above rant is so true, then how can I remember in one shot the names of the new offsprings of the Bollywood brigade? The Taimurs, Mishas, Abrams, Navya Navelis, and the Araydhays. And then cross connect with the parents. The Raj Kapoors full clan with the new additions and divorces. Lyrics of the song 'Zalima', all songs by Arjit Singh, all information from my holy grail the 'Hello' magazine, and all the new releases of Hollywood movies, and all the names of Angelina-Pitt babies?
I am actually confused. So, what is it? Am I only interested in frivolous information? Am I a useless information junkie? But, whatever it is, I am going to see it as "thank Allah for small mercies". At least one part of my brain is working. So even if it the floozy part. I consider it a small victory.
So, to the people who can relate to me, say…Hallelujah!
Have a good day the Sam Q Way.
GLAZED FISH SILLET
Ingredients
One pound of any firm fish fillet (bekti will do very nicely)
1 tbsp of brown sugar
1 tbsp of melted butter
1 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tbsp of honey
1 tbsp of soya sauce
1 tbsp of Dijon mustard
3 cloves of garlic finely minced
Method
Mix all the ingredients, except the fish in a small bowl. Pour over fish and refrigerate for two hours. Now heat some oil in a pan, place the fish over medium heat. Turn over once after 3 minutes. Give another 3 minutes to the other side. Check to see if fish is flaky and cooked inside. Turn up the heat to thicken the gravy and serve hot.
EASY SPICY FISH TAMARIND
Marinate the fish or fillet with sliced ginger and salt to taste. Then grill it or shallow fry it.
Then in a frying pan heat some oil. Fry 50 g of sliced onions until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper. Now sauté 25g of sliced garlic and 3 sliced red chillies. Also, set aside. In another pan, bring to boil 6 tbsp water, 50 g of sugar, 30 g of tamarind pulp, and 30ml of fish sauce. Bring to boil. When thickened, add all the fried onions, garlic and chillies. Taste. You should have a sweet and sour taste to it. Now pour over fish and garnish according to your choice. My suggestion —fresh coriander. Enjoy!
Photo: Collected